Director: Russell Mulcahy
Running Time: 100 mins
Despite Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Prayers For Bobby never got a DVD release in the UK, although it has been shown up on British TV (which is where I saw it for this review). You can sort of understand why it never made it to DVD, as while it stars Sigourney Weaver – who puts in a superb performance – it feels very much an afternoon TV movie, with all the sentimentality and melodrama that suggests. That said, it’s undoubtedly moving.
Based on a true story, the film is about the devoutly religious Mary Griffiths (Weaver) and her teenaged son, Bobby (Ryan Kelley). Bobby is having a tough time dealing with his sexuality. He confides that he might be gay to his brother, who proceeds to tell the rest of the family. Mary is adamant that Bobby can change and that with the help of the church he can become straight. While Bobby initially agrees to this as he desperately wants to be normal and have the acceptance of his family, he comes to realise he can’t change. [Read more…]